Believe that You can Do Anything and You Will!

"Imagine yourself to be the type of

person you want to be, and then be

it.  You may have to let go of some

bad habits and develop some more

positive ones, but don't give up --

for it is only in trying and persisting

that dreams come true."

                                                                     --Barbara Cage

It  is believed that  an estimated 71 percent of the prisoners released  return to prison for the same/similar type of crime, organically incarcerated.  This suggest that while incarcerated, the person didn't receive the necessary "tools" to empower productive  and successful reentry.

After reading thousands of letters, speaking with many incarcerated persons throughout Virginia, RIHD learned that prisoner have the desire to  succeed upon release; however, the opportunities for "earned" second chance is few to none.  For the most part Virginia laws prohibit and/or limit  returning citizens and persons with a felony record from housing, employment, and services. 

Since the abolition of  Virginia parole in 1995,  stiffer and longer  prison sentence has unfortunately become the norm;  thus, lead to extensive reduction in funding  for prisoner literacy, therapeutic and vocational programs.  Through laws and actions, it appears the mentality of "why educate or  rehabilitate" if they are serving longer sentences; let's wait until they get closer to their release date to begin providing the necessary/needed services; and even then they are minimum at best. 

RIHD believes in "Day One"  assessment for literacy, therapeutic and vocational rehabilitation for all persons upon entering  jail or prison!  Why wait to provide  those in most need the necessary"tools" to assist, uplift & empower change for the positive.  The length of sentence should not be a factor; for rehabilitation isn't just because a person will be release or not, but to change the prisoner's perspective on life both while incarcerated and not!  Are we not a Country, a State that believes in second chances?  For the incarcerated  whom, continue to request the necessary and needed  "tools" of an "earn" second chance,  why are they not receiving it?

It is  equally important that we all understand that it's not just the responsibility of state and federal government to provide the needed and necessary services to prisoners; it is equally the responsibility of the prisoner, their family and their community to be proactive in this initiative.  One such imitative is the  RIHD "Self Help."  In 2002, we began offering  "self help" initiatives to incarcerated persons in Virginia that has grown to include incarcerated persons in other states as well as in federal facilities.  Virginia prisons have seen a increase in prisoner educational & therapeutic rehabilitation, a decrease in violent prison offenses/receiving charges, largely due to groups like RIHD and others whom continue to encourage and advocate for "EARNED" second chance initiatives. 

R.I.H.D. PRISONER "SELF HELP" INITIATIVES 

1. "Sponsor a Prisoner Rehabilitation through Education"

 S.I.P.E. Fundraising for Free Dictionaries, GED prep Books, College Text Book Assistance

College Program for the Incarcerated

Haning Hall 222

Ohio University

Athens, OH 45701

(800) 444-2910

Email:  cpi@ohio.edu

Online Brochure:  http://www.outreach.ohio.edu/cpi 

2.  "Investing In Your Future" Self Help Guide

   Re-entry Planning - Business - Investment

(i.e. employment application, resume, business applications, etc.)

3.  Transportation Service to Faraway Virginia Prisons

    (Keen Mountain, Pocahontas, Red Onion, Wallens Ridge)

4.  "Va Prisoner Artistic Works"  Annual Fundraiser

(Proceeds go directly to Prisoner Family for Child, Spousal Support from the Artist)

5.  "Fair and Smart" Criminal Justice Reform Legislative Advocacy

 (Youth, Prisoners, Reentry, Victims & Family)

6.  Restoration of Former Felon Rights Campaign

   (Voting Rights Restoration application assistance

     & advocacy for legislative/executive order)

For initiative brochure (s) & additional information 

 send a self-addressed stamped envelope to: 

RIHD Self Help - PO Box 55 - Highland Springs - Virginia 23075  

Prisoners & Families Support Advocacy Meeting

Every 3rd Tuesday

Time: 7pm to 9pm

6pm pre-meeting for newcomers

Location: Fellowship Hall

Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church

1720 Mechanicsville Turnpike

Richmond, Virginia 23223

(I-64 Mechanicsville Turnpike Wesr Exit)

Light refreshment served

(804) 426-4426 

Virginia State Employee Directory by Name & Agency

http://www.employeedirectory.virginia.gov/Default.aspx 

Administrative letter for Inmate

 Administrative Letter for Inmates.rtf

Be the Voice for Your Incarcerated Loved One

Share your concerns, ideas, suggestions with the Governor.

Prisoner Re-entry Initiative
Office of Public Safety
Patrick Henry Building, 3rd Floor
1111 East Broad Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219
Phone: (804) 786-5351
Fax: (804) 371-6381
Email: sops-cs@governor.virginia.gov

 Words of Encouragement